The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse

The Long and Winding Road: the extraordinary life story of Lesley Pearse by Lesley Pearse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days (in and out as able)

Pages - 351

Publisher - Michael Joseph

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

One of the world’s bestselling storytellers, Lesley Pearse writes brilliantly about survivors. Why? Because she is one herself . . .

Born during the Second World War, Lesley’s innocence came to an abrupt end when a neighbour found her, aged 3, coatless in the snow. The mother she’d been unable to wake had been dead for days. Sent to an orphanage, Lesley soon learned adults couldn’t always be trusted.

As a teenager in the swinging sixties, she took herself to London. Here, the second great tragedy of her life occurred. Falling pregnant, she was sent to a mother and baby home, and watched helplessly as her newborn was taken from her.

But like so many of her generation, Lesley had to carry on. She was, after all, a true survivor. Marriage and children followed – and all the while she nurtured a dream: to be a writer. Yet it wasn’t until at the age of 48 that her stories – of women struggling in a difficult world – found a publisher, and the bestseller lists beckoned.

As heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, Lesley’s story really is A Long and Winding Road with surprises and uplifting hope around every corner . . .



My Review

Pearse has been writing books and taking us on adventures for years, now, this is her story and my what a life it has been so far. The tale opens so sad, her and her brother are found out in the garden, cold, no jackets and in the snow. Their mum having died a few days earlier, her and her brother are split up before finally being reunited with their dad, his new wife and new sister. We then follow Lesley's life growing up, experimenting, marriage, kids, drugs/dabbling, jobs and through to her writing journey and pretty much present day.

I think what makes this different to a lot of the other memoirs we have read is obviously Lesley's childhood, war/post war and growing up in such a different time. Then she has brushed shoulders with a few famous names and had quite a journey with a whole array of people/circumstances. Good people, not so good people, the nicer and not so nice examples of humanity.

There is quite a few emotive parts too, women getting pregnant back then and what happened to them with no husbands/fathers around. Forced adoptions and abuse of those vulnerable young ladies pregnant and their family having turned their backs on them. Pearse wasn't quite in that boat but did still find herself vulnerable and on a path that had lasting effects.

Also folk taking advantage in different situations, Pearse is nobody's fool but even she found herself on the disadvantage of circumstances. That made her push on and always come through but ooft I just wanted to reach out and hug her more than a few times. Honest, raw, emotive and so so many adventures - it is no wonder her books draw you in as she has such a wealth of experience and researches otherwise, she gives us a wee insight into her publishing journey and achievements also, 4.5/5 for me, what a woman!

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Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 250

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”

So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who traveled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us. . . and so much more.

In an extraordinary story that only he could tell—and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it—Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true. But he also details the peace he’s found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of Friends, sharing stories about his castmates and other stars he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and with his trademark humor, Perry vividly depicts his lifelong battle with addiction and what fueled it despite seemingly having it all.


My Review

I know Matthew Perry from Friends and maybe seen him in one or two others things, I loved and watched FRIENDS for a few series (until the Rachel/Joey thing but I have the boxset). I loved his character and obviously heard about his addictions in later years. The book is pretty brutal graphic and honest, he almost died and he goes into his multiple slips and battles with addiction. I also thought it was just alcohol until his passing and everything that transpired/came out.

If you have issues/triggers to do with substance abuse, self harm with substances, rehab stints, the steps towards sobriety etc. He catalogues it all and is very frank in it, it is so sad and quite heartbreaking. I think it also sheds a huge light on the whole someone can look like they have the world, fame, fortune, everything you could seemingly want and be struggling, have everything and nothing.

Lots of celebrity bits in it, his story from childhood, time on friends, things he did before and after, I was more than a bit shocked when he mentioned the loss/deaths of Heath Leger and River Phoenix yet Keanu Reaves walks amongst us (or something similar to that). Like there was no mention of Keanu before, no hint of issues they had and it was such a dark thing to put. I can only assume maybe he wrote that when in a dark place? Apparently he came out later after backlash and said he hadn't meant anything against Keanu or something and it wasn't personal, it was just so out of the blue.

I think the book is important for opening folks eyes to the battle with addiction and how much it can take from you. I felt so sad reading this and more so knowing he died because of drugs, more so because he mentions Ket in the book and how it was not for him (I think a bad experience, I can't mind now) and then for what happened, just so so sad.

He was also a bit of a Lothario, I didn't know that and he goes into reasons of why he was the way he was and some of his linked partners and romances. I feel for anyone with addictions, I think the book is really informative, emotive, shocking and eye opening on so many things, 4/5.

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The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 288

Publisher - Gallery books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.


My Review

I don't think there is a single person on the planet who doesn't know the name Britney Spears, be it as a fan or just from some of the many many stories in the news over the years. I have never been a huge fan of any celebrity, like worship wise I mean however I do enjoy songs and *gasp* even made it to a handful of concerts (not any of Britney's though).

I grew up when her, NSync, Backstreet boys etc where topping the charts so a lot of the book I could relate to (I don't think relate is the right word but I was like yeah I remember that ie Justin's revenge song). We go back to when Britney was a kid, growing up, exposure to fame and how it all kicked off and through her career. Everyone knew her and Justin where a couple, they broke up, she broke his heart by cheating, his revenge song etc but reading the book we get a very different version of what went on.

I think the reason people have responded so visceral to some of the book is because Britney was crucified by the press, fans of both Britney and Justin when it was marketed as him being heartbroken. We have all had our hearts broken at some point and to realise how manipulative it was and one sided, I think people feel bad. Like you see it now trolls and people can be brutal about anything celeb (or even Joe public) like everyone has an opinion on everything and often it is strong. So to get a glimpse that actually he wasn't as innocent/clean cut as we were made to believe and Britney wasn't the *tramp/heartbreaker she was made out to be - it sparked big reactions from people let alone fans.

After reading about Kevin, the kids and her family, oh my God her family - that girl needs a hug. Like you see it all the time when folk get famous everyone sells them out, it must be so lonely. Yet not only did this happen but her family used her, stole her money under the guise of conservership and the level of abuse because they had so much power, thirteen years that lasted. It boggles the mind and I genuinely think they deserve to see court/jail time for what they did. Do I think she is an angel? No but there is no denying having someone exploit you, blackmail you, spend your hard earned cash whilst you can't even choose to refuse a dance move in your tour, ugh. Everyone has at least one toxic person in their family but imagine that and millions of pounds up for grabs at the expense of your health/freedom, it is truly shocking. I think the other thing (and I don't have kids) when she talks about what happened with the kids, no wonder she shaved all her hair off. Who was looking out for her? The amount of celebs who have had a bad end because people didn't do what was best for the person for fear of being cut off, imagine the other end, they have full control of the person and substantial ability to abuse/spend their finances. Ugh, it is shocking, I hope karma catches up with all those who did her dirty and that she finds some peace/happiness but how could you ever trust anyone again, it is just so so sad, 4/5 from me.

Also, with all the scandal and revelations it makes me wonder what didn't make the book when you think of all the explosive stuff that did!

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November's Competition is now live

Apologies it is a bit late, I have been a bit under the weather, then away to horrorcon and ended up floored with a bad chest/viral. Only starting to feel a bit more human and getting back to the real world tomorrow!

So what is November's comp going to be? Well, we had so much feedback/chat with the Britney Spears book, that I have decided that that will be Novembers prize - please note the ring light IS NOT INCLUDED.

As pictured, x1 hardback of Britney's new book and you can't have a book without a bookmark so you have a choice of two, you can have either x1, leather style, love heart page corner. It is very pale pink, the piccy looks white(ish) but it is absolutely pale pink, as pictured.

Or the multicolour magnetic one, again as pictured. All of our competitions are as pictured. Let us know in the comments which bookmark you would choose if you won.

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below, please only complete the entries you have done as winning entries are checked. This will be open worldwide as it a thin book and the bookmark weighs very little. Postage is going up again and again but we try make giveaways worldwide as we are able. Good luck.

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We Can Be Heroes by Paul Burston

We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor's Story by Paul Burston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - as able over 4 days

Pages - 319

Publisher - Little a

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Activist. Journalist. Survivor. One man’s journey from prejudice to Pride. Paul Burston wasn’t always the iconic voice of LGBTQ+ London that he is today. Paul came out in the mid-1980s, when ‘gay’ still felt like a dirty word, especially in the small Welsh town where he grew up. He moved to London hoping for a happier life, only to watch in horror as his new-found community was decimated by AIDS. But even in the depths of his grief, Paul vowed never to stop fighting back on behalf of his young friends whose lives were cut tragically short. It’s a promise he’s kept to this day. As an activist he stormed the House of Commons during the debate over the age of consent. As a journalist he spoke up for the rights of the community at a time of tabloid homophobia and legal inequality. As a novelist he founded the groundbreaking Polari Prize. But his lifestyle hid a dark secret, and Paul’s demons—shame, trauma, grief—stalked him on every corner. In an attempt to silence them, he began to self-medicate. From almost drowning at eighteen to a near-fatal overdose at thirty-eight, this is Paul’s story of what happened in the twenty years between, and how he carved out a life that his teenage self could scarcely have imagined. Emotional but often witty, We Can Be Heroes is an illuminating memoir of the eighties, nineties and noughties from a gay man who only just survived them.


My Review

I never used to read non fiction and now I find myself reading more and more. Paul Burston writes non fiction too (check out his other books, he has actually a fair few under his belt) so when this popped up (absolute bargain price for the treebook too) I had to get a copy (3 actually, one for me, my brother and BDWB for my workies). Paul takes us through his life experiences - how he dealt with being gay at a time when there was so much hate/stigma (lets face it even now in places we are still having to deal with this homophobic/prejudice) to becoming a fierce activist and out and proud.

Paul gives us a very real/stark/warts and all look at his life from being a youngster to the struggles he faced/addiction/relationships and one of the most important ones, his relationship with himself. He has been through some very dark times on his own personal journey and within the gay community. He has become a voice for the voiceless and done some amazing and tireless work but it has been a harsh road to get to where he is now.

We follow him through the years, the issues faced by gay people just for trying to be their true selves, love, proud and seen. The book isn't just a memoir, a survivors story it is also an education of what many of his community experienced and he himself between relationships, family, friends, the dating scene, work life. It is a busy book, Paul has achieved much and is still going strong, emotive at points the book shows Burston's absolute strength of character for all he has survived, achieved and helped to shape him as the individual he is today, 4.5/5.

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Inside Out by Demi Moore

Inside Out by Demi Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 283

Publisher - Harper

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

For decades, Demi Moore has been synonymous with celebrity. From iconic film roles to high-profile relationships, Moore has never been far from the spotlight—or the headlines. Even as Demi was becoming the highest paid actress in Hollywood, however, she was always outrunning her past, just one step ahead of the doubts and insecurities that defined her childhood. Throughout her rise to fame and during some of the most pivotal moments of her life, Demi battled addiction, body image issues, and childhood trauma that would follow her for years—all while juggling a skyrocketing career and at times negative public perception. As her success grew, Demi found herself questioning if she belonged in Hollywood, if she was a good mother, a good actress—and, always, if she was simply good enough. As much as her story is about adversity, it is also about tremendous resilience. In this deeply candid and reflective memoir, Demi pulls back the curtain and opens up about her career and personal life—laying bare her tumultuous relationship with her mother, her marriages, her struggles balancing stardom with raising a family, and her journey toward open heartedness. Inside Out is a story of survival, success, and surrender—a wrenchingly honest portrayal of one woman’s at once ordinary and iconic life.



My Review

I know Moore from Ghost, I LOVED that movie growing up, we watched more for Sam (Patrick Swayze) but I think the penny scene and the single tear drop hit all the audiences. Other than that I haven't really seen her body of work nor really know much about her so this was on offer and I snapped it up. I think most of us knew she was married to Bruce Willis and later Ashton Kutcher and I love Charlies Angels so seen her on that.

The book takes us back to her beginnings, personal life, how she got into acting and movies. It is very much warts and all, the book opens with a drug induced/reaction seizure and then goes back in time. She is very honest about her sketchy upbringing, her faults, her battles with addictions, her relationship with Bruce and then Ashton. I actually really felt for her with Ashton, it must have been so hard, like breakups are devastating anyway but when the press totally rips you and has been against you ooft.

I think biography/memoir books are so interesting because you get to look behind the curtain and I think even for super fans of these celebrities they would find so much they hadn't been aware of. Moore seems to have gone through, like so many, a lot in her life, I hope she has found happiness and inner peace now and made up with her family, 4/5 for me.

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Women Like Us by Amanda Prowse Blog Tour

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Women Like Us, A Memoir, by Amanda Prowse, this is a LOVEBOOKSTOUR blog tour, you can find Kelly on Twitter.

I even took the book to the ice hockey with me to read inbetween intervals.

The book is available to buy from Amazon, click HERE.


You can find Amanda on Twitter and Instagram.

Women Like Us: A Memoir by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 10 days

Pages - 396

Publisher - Little A

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

I guess the first question to ask is, what kind of woman am I? Well, you know those women who saunter into a room, immaculately coiffed and primped from head to toe?

If you look behind her, you’ll see me.

From her childhood, where there was no blueprint for success, to building a career as a bestselling novelist against all odds, Amanda Prowse explores what it means to be a woman in a world where popularity, slimness, beauty and youth are currency—and how she overcame all of that to forge her own path to happiness.

Sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious and always entirely relatable, Prowse details her early struggles with self-esteem and how she coped with the frustrating expectations others had of how she should live. Most poignantly, she delves into her toxic relationship with food, the hardest addiction she has ever known, and how she journeyed out the other side.

One of the most candid memoirs you’re ever likely to read, Women Like Us provides welcome insight into how it is possible—against the odds—to overcome insecurity, body consciousness and the ubiquitous imposter syndrome to find happiness and success, from a woman who’s done it all, and then some


My Review

I have heard/read and even used warts and all used many times and I absolutely am using it for this book however it is probably the first time I am using it with actual pure felt meaning! So if you don't know who Amanda Prowse is she is an author who has written A LOT of books, I have read 3 with a few more on my tbrm and many more to buy! So about the book, Prowse takes us through her life, from a wee barra, teen, adult and authorhood.

This book took me through Amanda's life and back to quite a few stages of my own. Some of the things/experiences were so relatable I could have written them myself. Then there was some shockaroonies like the sanitary belt, I absolutely had to go and look that up. I can't imagine how you get into it let alone wear it!

The book is very open and honest and whilst I feel like you get that reading a lot of autobiographies Amanda Prowse felt it went deeper. If you have never had a battle with addiction, your weight or both then you may not appreciate just how much I imagine it cost to not only deal with that but to then commit it to paper and share it with the world. I wanted to reach out and hug her because it is a battle like no other and despite some addictions being treated more with compassion and understanding food/weight gain is still very judged/stigmatized.

The book is really interesting, emotive and takes us on many roads of the authors life and experiences, I have been struggling to read like I used to but for snippets of time I managed to loose myself. I cannot wait to read her other books and will absolutely be buying up others as I go along. If you only read one memoir this year make it this one, 5/5 for me.

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Stand Against Injustice by Michelle Diskin Blog Tour

Today is my turn and closing stop on the blog tour (Love Books Group Tours) for "Stand Against Injustice" by Michelle Diskin.







About the author (from Amazon)

Mother of three, campaigner for justice and Committed Christian.

Michelle campaigned for eight years for the release of her disabled brother, Barry George, after he was wrongly convicted in 2001, for the high profile murder of BBC television presenter, Jill Dando. Mr George was acquitted in 2007 and sent for re-trial in 2008. He was found not guilty, by unanimous jury verdict on 1st August 2008.

Born in Fulham, London in 1955, Michelle lived in West London until 1973. She then moved to Cork, Ireland, where she lived until 2012, with her three adult children. Michelle's first husband, Patrick, died unexpectedly in 2007 after a short illness, but, with God's grace, she is now married again, to Peter, who supports her in her Miscarriage of Justice (MOJ) activities. They are both committed Christians, who worship at a Baptist church in Northamptonshire, taking on many responsibilities within the fellowship.




About the book

On April 26, 1999, BBC TV presenter Jill Dando was murdered outside her home in London. Barry George was convicted and imprisoned for the murder but was later acquitted after an appeal and retrial. Stand Against Injustice is the powerful memoir of the sister of Barry George. For the first time, Michelle Diskin Bates tells her story, the human side and truth behind one of recent history's most high profile and damaging miscarriages of justice whose life is inextricably interwoven in the drama, the trauma, the conspiracy and the fight for justice. A self-confessed 'ordinary housewife', Michelle's voice weaves the personal everyday struggles that bring depth, color, and passion into what is an extraordinary account. A troubled childhood weighted with overbearing responsibility, fear and insecurity, depression, and the challenges of marriage and adult relationships, Michelle's life has never been easy. However, the one constant in her life - her faith in God - underpins and provides the foundation upon which she now stands - against injustice.

Buy Link
https://amzn.to/2pc2i5o

Twitter Handles

@malcolmdown

@Michelle_Diskin

@LoveBooksGroup




For my stop I have my review, enjoy.

Stand Against Injustice by Michelle Diskin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 280

Publisher - Malcolm Down

Source - Review Book

Blurb from Goodreads

On April 26, 1999, BBC TV presenter Jill Dando was murdered outside her home in London. Barry George was convicted and imprisoned for the murder but was later acquitted after an appeal and retrial. Stand Against Injustice is the powerful memoir of the sister of Barry George.

For the first time, Michelle Diskin tells her story, the human side and truth behind one of recent history's most high profile and damaging miscarriages of justice whose life is inextricably interwoven in the drama, the trauma, the conspiracy and the fight for justice. A self-confessed "ordinary housewife," Diskin's voice weaves the personal everyday struggles that bring depth, color, and passion into what is an extraordinary account.

A troubled childhood weighted with overbearing responsibility, fear and insecurity, depression, and the challenges of marriage and adult relationships, Diskin's life has never been easy. However, the one constant in her life - her faith in God - underpins and provides the foundation upon which she now stands - against injustice.

My Review

I don't think there is one person, of a certain age and above, who hadn't heard of the Jill Dando murder. She was a big tv personality on Crime Watch so we all knew of her and when it was announced she had been murdered everyone was shocked. That is about as much as I remember, I don't remember following anything in the news as I was younger and didn't really follow anything like that. So when the opportunity came to read this book I absolutely agreed, I like reading true crime and it would be interesting to read more about the case.

It is worth noting that this is not all about Barry George, the man accused of killing Dando although he does of course feature a lot in it. This is his sister Michelle's story, everything is through her, where she was when she heard, everything that transpired afterwords through her experiences. Background and family history of Barry and Michelle, their relations, upbringing and the journey they went through, experiences with the police, prison, media and how it affected them and their immediate family. As well as battling to prove her brothers innocence, Diskin also reveals the loss and heart break she experiences during this time and how she her faith got her through some of the hardest times during it all. There are also verses included from the bible and at the very end an inclusion of the organisations that helped Barry and Michelle during their ordeal. Michelle has spoken in many places and done interviews in relation to what they experienced and survived.

It is a book that spans across twenty years and we hear a little snippet from Diskin's grown children, how they felt, looking back on everything that happened. There are a few mentions of other people who were wrongly accused and a bit explaining what the organisations are and what they do with links added for readers to explore more if they so wish. Raw in places and an emotive book I imagine for her to write, her faith is evident through many of the passages. Absolutely worth a read and it makes you realise how quick many of us are to make judgments based upon things we read/see on the newspapers/tv and the toll that can take on others, 3.5/5 for me.

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Review - One Call Away by Brenda Warner

One Call Away: Facing the Unexpected with Resilient Faith by Brenda Warner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Small extract of the blurb from Goodreads

The remarkable story of Brenda Warner's resilient faith in the face of the unpredictable, both before and during her marriage to NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.

My Review

Can I just say don't read the blurb as it tells you a lot of spoilers and I have recently stopped reading them when doing these kind of reviews as the spoilers are huge!

This is Brenda's story about her life and how she started out and got to where she is now. From heartbreak, family crisis, death and destruction to finding true love and herself whilst relying on her faith through her darkest hours.

Before I read this I hadn't heard of her or her husband (a famous NFL player), and from the small extracts I had read I expected over the top religious content. This wasn't the case at all, you have a moving story of one woman's struggles and life journey and how her faith (tested over and over again) got her through some of the toughest times imaginable. It was actually nice to see how Brenda and her husband got through their religious differences and how her faith kept her strong along the way (some people may find it a bit much but I think it was well balanced).

The story is an emotional roller-coaster and touches on some really hard to read issues however if she had to live through them, surely we can read it. Although religion does have a big part in the story it doesn't shadow the real story and isn't in your face or preaching, it is just one more part of Brenda's life she wants to share.

Whilst difficult to read in some parts (it will pull at your heart strings and maybe remind you of your own losses) it is an inspirational account of one woman's journey through life, love and trials. It is really well written, nice paced and easy to follow so it's a 4/5 for me.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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